Expression of protease activated receptor-2 related to angiogenesis in tumor advancement of uterine endometrial cancers

Oncol Rep. 2007 Feb;17(2):345-50.

Abstract

Protease activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) is the second member of a novel family of G-protein coupled seven-transmembrane domain receptors. PAR-2 has been reported to be expressed in various tumors and play a vital role in the regulation of cancer cell growth. The purpose of this study was to clarify the roles of PAR-2 in the angiogenic pathway in uterine endometrial cancers. PAR-2 expression was analyzed in 61 uterine endometrial cancer and 15 normal endometrium tissue specimens. PAR-2 histoscores and mRNA levels were determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time RT-PCR, respectively. Microvessel counts were determined by immunohistochemistry for CD31 and factor VIII-related antigen. The localization of PAR-2 was dominant in the cancer cells of endometrial cancer tissues of all cases studied. PAR-2 histoscores highly correlated with PAR-2 mRNA levels in the same tissues (r=0.87, p<0.001). PAR-2 histoscores and mRNA levels both significantly increased in uterine endometrial cancers with clinical stages (I<II<III, p<0.001), dedifferentiation (G1<G2<G3, p<0.001) and myometrial invasion (A<B, p<0.001; B<C, p<0.05) in comparison to normal endometria. There were significant correlations between PAR-2 histoscores and mRNA levels with microvessel counts in uterine endometrial cancers. PAR-2 was upregulated during uterine endometrial cancer progression with dedifferentiation and myometrial invasion. Therefore, PAR-2 might work on tumor advancement of uterine endometrial cancers via angiogenic activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Disease Progression
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Endometrium / metabolism
  • Endometrium / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Middle Aged
  • Neovascularization, Pathologic*
  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / biosynthesis
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptor, PAR-2 / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptor, PAR-2